Tennessee state trooper Ben Harrison searches for seat belt violations from his cruiser Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, along Interstate 24 west of Chattanooga.NASHVILLE -- Better buckle up, Tennesseans: A bill more than doubling fines for not using your seat belts is speeding to Gov. Bill Haslam, who is expected to sign it.
The House and Senate both approved the legislation, which represents the first increase since Tennessee first created fines for motorists and passengers not using vehicle safety belts back in the early 1990s.
Fines for first-time violators increase from $10 to $25 while 16 and 17-year-old drivers' fines go from $20 to $25. Fines for repeat violators who are 18 and older rise from $20 to $50.
State government will see an estimated $713,500 increase in revenues in the Fiscal Year 2016, which starts July 1, and $1.42 million beginning the following year.
Unchanged are the law's provisions that specify violations are not subject to court costs. Nor are there any points assessed by the state against motorists' driving records.
Proponents argue that every $10 increase in fines boosts seat belt usage by 7 percent.